Last edit by: DenverBrian
AA (legacy US Airways) Airbus A321-200 "321"
The older legacy US Airways Airbus A321-200 is shown as "321" in AA schedules. (Newer legacy AA A321s are listed as "32B" as they have "Sharklet" wingtip devices installed, and include two class A321S and A321H ETOPS and three class A321T transcontinental versions.)
NOTE: in accordance with AA “Project Oasis” all A321-200s will be retrofitted between 2019 and 2021. Business / First cabins will use the seats found today in the AA A319, with reduced seat pitch and recline. MCE and MC will have the Rockwell Collins slimline Meridian seats with reduced pitch and recline. Lavatories will be ultra-slim Rockwell Collins Spacewall lavs. See Oasis: New seats & less pitch, WiFi IFE & power all 737 and A321 2019-21 for further information.
As conversion begins we will start a new thread, and you should be able to see which configuration a particular aircraft has by referencing the (unofficial) American Airlines Fleet Site here.
The legacy US Airways A321s are currently unmodified, though a few have been reupholstered, have new carpeting and bulkhead liners. These have less seat pitch and recline in the First cabin, no Main Cabin Extra seats other than the few with greater seat pitch (e.g. bulkhead / 5, Exit rows 9, 10, 22, and 23) and have neither seatback IFE nor at seat power provisions. They do have GoGo WiFi and free streaming audio and video entertainment for your WiFi capable devices..
Note 10 ABC (fixed armrests with deploying trays) or F, 23 A and F seem to be preferred by some members.
Please see AA to install same new seats in 737-800s and A321s but add more of them for information on the plan to install new B/E Aerospace Meridian slimline seats in a denser pattern and 30" seat pitch in Main Cabin in 2019. (We will dedicate a thread to the CIP / modified A321 when that aircraft becomes current with the AA fleet.)
The A320-321 refurbishment thread may be read here.
Older posts from 2014 and 2015 have been archived here.
Updated 31 Jan 2017 - JDiver
Airbus A321 (legacy US Airways A321-200) master thread
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Apologies if this has been debated here before - just a bit confused by my experience on AA....
Took the overnight flight AA767 SEA-PHL last week. I usually pay for domestic F when I travel within the US - obviously mainly pay for the seat. Thought USD670 one way was a pretty decent deal. However, the seat recline on the A321 was minimal and managed to sleep for perhaps 30min on that flight. Normally I'm able to sleep in domestic F reasonably ok. Now, are the F seats on the AA A321s pretty much the worst in the industry?
I think the last time I flew on AA domestic F (MD-80 and regional a/c) was summer of 2016, so not particularly familiar with the product.
I have paid for domestic F on UA, DL, B6 (mint though), AS, SY over the past years - so would like to think that I more or less know what to expect. Perhaps not?
Took the overnight flight AA767 SEA-PHL last week. I usually pay for domestic F when I travel within the US - obviously mainly pay for the seat. Thought USD670 one way was a pretty decent deal. However, the seat recline on the A321 was minimal and managed to sleep for perhaps 30min on that flight. Normally I'm able to sleep in domestic F reasonably ok. Now, are the F seats on the AA A321s pretty much the worst in the industry?
I think the last time I flew on AA domestic F (MD-80 and regional a/c) was summer of 2016, so not particularly familiar with the product.
I have paid for domestic F on UA, DL, B6 (mint though), AS, SY over the past years - so would like to think that I more or less know what to expect. Perhaps not?
#259
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
23D has standard armrests on both sides.
23D and 23E have their tray tables on the seatback in front.
The armrest between 23E and 23F is solid and has the tray table for 23F inside.
23D and 23E have their tray tables on the seatback in front.
The armrest between 23E and 23F is solid and has the tray table for 23F inside.
#260
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I'm flying solo, prefer an aisle, and would think I'd be best to be in the two seat section, over the three seat section.
#261
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 586
10A is the equivalent of an Aisle except no bumping from the cart, and you have a area to rest your head if you want to sleep. There is literally enough room to get up and walk around in front of 10A so you can without question get out without bugging anyone.
#262
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Been a long time since I flew on AA but last minute trip to SFO and DL is all empty seats and looking bleak for F upfare.
AA is a reasonable upfare to F through our corporate portal. I seem to have 3 options all listed as having WiFi:
SFO - CLT - RDU listed as A321 (which from this thread sounds like LUS)
SFO - DFW - RDU also listed as A321
SFO - DFW - RDU listed as A321 (sharklets)
Oddly the two SFO - DFW flights leave 10 minutes apart but both connect to the same DFW - RDU flight (on a 738) that gets me in at midnight (vs. the CLT option which gets me back at 11pm).
Is the difference between the LUS and LAA A321s still that bad that I should dismiss the SFO - CLT flight as an option in favor of the SFO - DFW flight leaving 45 minutes later?
On paper, SFO - CLT seems better because it gets in earlier and since SFO - CLT is a 2200+ flight, would have whatever the top, non-JFK/LAX/SFO food service that AA currently offers vs. the two mid-cons which would be more scaled back.
AA is a reasonable upfare to F through our corporate portal. I seem to have 3 options all listed as having WiFi:
SFO - CLT - RDU listed as A321 (which from this thread sounds like LUS)
SFO - DFW - RDU also listed as A321
SFO - DFW - RDU listed as A321 (sharklets)
Oddly the two SFO - DFW flights leave 10 minutes apart but both connect to the same DFW - RDU flight (on a 738) that gets me in at midnight (vs. the CLT option which gets me back at 11pm).
Is the difference between the LUS and LAA A321s still that bad that I should dismiss the SFO - CLT flight as an option in favor of the SFO - DFW flight leaving 45 minutes later?
On paper, SFO - CLT seems better because it gets in earlier and since SFO - CLT is a 2200+ flight, would have whatever the top, non-JFK/LAX/SFO food service that AA currently offers vs. the two mid-cons which would be more scaled back.
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,704
That's why 10A is the Holy Grail in this beast. It's a window - no, wait - it's an aisle! It's a winsle!
#264
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
In 10C I tend to get my feet trampled on by the FAs as they like to park the cart just short of the exit area so they can walk around easier. As a result, they tend to forget people's legs and feet protrude into the area and they will tend to step on your feet a lot.
#265
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
I was on a LUS 321 SEA-DFW Yesterday. I was in the exit row near the mid cabin lav. While boarding, a passenger asked the #3 FA if this was one of those planes "without power or anything" and the FA replied - "nope, this is like the stripped down Kia version". I thought that was pretty funny.
I've really grown to love flying with LUS crew in general. They're no-nonsense, and they tend to do their jobs efficiently and correctly. For example, I've never been asked to pay for alcohol in MCE (since the new benefit came out) on a LUS flight ... and we even got a full second drink service <!>
Another example for this particular flight - we were facing weather related delays (wasn't as bad as they were anticipating) and the captain kept us updated every step of the way in a friendly and professional manner.
I've really grown to love flying with LUS crew in general. They're no-nonsense, and they tend to do their jobs efficiently and correctly. For example, I've never been asked to pay for alcohol in MCE (since the new benefit came out) on a LUS flight ... and we even got a full second drink service <!>
Another example for this particular flight - we were facing weather related delays (wasn't as bad as they were anticipating) and the captain kept us updated every step of the way in a friendly and professional manner.
#268
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
I have this same question. I can choose 1DF or 4DF. 6' tall. Usually prefer bulkhead unless leg room is bad.
#270
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 617
I prefer row 4 on LUS 321's, if the recline is limted any more than the other rows, it is not noticeable. I like not having to worry about reclining into anyone else's space, and also not having someone behind use my seat back to steady themselves on the way to the lav.